Nagano Shrine: Suwa Taisha in Japan

Suwa is town in Nagano, famous for its 1,200-year-old Shinto Shrines and hotspring resorts. Suwa is home to four shrine complexes namely Maemiya, Honmiya, Harumiya and Akimiya. Two of them, Maemiya and Honmiya, are located southeast of Lake Suwa and make up the Kamisha (upper shrines). Harumiya and Akimiya, on the other hand, make up the Shimosha (lower shrines) and are located northwest of Lake Suwa.

Japanese people commonly wash their hands before entering a Shrine to cleanse impurities in their heart.

Akimiya Temple

Inside Akimiya temple.

Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of each shrine and see the lumbers used for the Onbashira festival, a ritual wherein Japanese people ride tree logs which slide down the slope that is held every 6 years. Make your visit in Suwa a memorable one by paying respect in one of these shrines.